Le Mans – The #1 Audi found its rhythm before the start

Si Loïc duval retained its pole position 24 Hours of Le Mans carried out last Wednesday in the No. 2 Audi, the No. 18 R1 of the reigning double winners managed to gain the advantage over the No. 3 sister car of Gené-Jarvis-Di Grassi to take the front row. André Lotterer set the best time, finishing 1”347 behind the reference time, but the German had the hope that his teammate Benoît Tréluyer would improve at the end of the session. “It’s a brilliant result for the team. I am personally very happy because we have gained a position. But the most important thing is that our Audi has improved compared to the previous day. I didn't expect to be so fast with worn tires. We had kept a new set for Ben (Tréluyer) because we hoped the track would dry out more. Our second position is a good starting point for the race. »

Benoît Tréluyer seemed able to improve on Loïc Duval's pole position, but like so many others, the Frenchman was slowed down by traffic during the final laps. The Audis have in any case proven that they are particularly competitive in the flying lap exercise, the first Toyota being relegated to more than four seconds reference time. “Naturally, we would have liked to get pole but we didn't have a clear lap at the end. We achieved very good intermediate times which allowed me to think that we were capable of doing it. However, Loïc (Duval) was also slowed down at the end and could have improved his time. But that's part of motorsport. The team did a great job and it’s a great result for Audi. But now we have to concentrate on the race. »

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